Back to You

The end of an era

Monse's POV

"Congrats baby girl you did it," my dad says as we walk towards my dorm to grab the last few of my boxes to be shipped back to Freeridge.

I can't believe it's been four years already. It seems like it was just yesterday that I started at NYU with hopes of becoming a famous writer. I'm not quite there yet but I have definitely come a long way on that journey.

"All packed and ready to go," dad says taking me away from my thoughts.

"Yea, I just need to look over this draft to send it to Jason," I replied skimming over the latest draft of my book before sending it to my editor.

Maybe this will be my big break but I'm not holding my breath. My senior thesis supervisor always encouraged me to write about what made me happy or inspired to be a writer so that's what I did. I thought back to the crazy adventures in Freeridge with Jamal, Ruby and of course Cesar.

Sigh, Cesar. My first boyfriend, first kiss, first love, first everything but I had to get a fresh start in for college, I couldn't do the long distance thing as much as it hurt to let go. He will always have a special place in my heart even if it's just as a friend.

Back to the book, fiction heavily inspired by life in Freeridge and the culture shock that happens after moving to a place like New York. Maybe not a future best seller but this felt like the right way to start as an author. If even one little boy or girl who felt limited by where they're from feel empowered to go after more when they read it then I did my job.

Dad surprised me with a two-month backpacking trip across South East Asia to celebrate me finishing my degree summa cum laude. This was always something I've wanted to do but time and money have always stopped me. Maybe I'll get some inspiration for a new project.

As I board the plane I can't help but wonder what it will be like being back in the Ridge in two months. I'm so excited to catch up with the fam but I'm glad for the extra time to avoid Cesar until I figure out what to say and how I feel. I hope this trip will help me figure out somethings before I get back to California.

Cesar's POV:

"Cesar Diaz, magna cum laude," I walk across the stage to collect my diploma. I can hear the cheers from Oscar, Ruby and Jamal in the crowd. Those guys have really been there for me while I was at UCLA. That Prophets takedown was my get out of gang free card and I'm glad I used it. The rest of the ceremony was a blur, who knew four years could come and go in the twinkling of an eye like that.

"Mano, I'm proud of you and all but we are getting hungry over here" Oscar shouts from his car. Ruby and Jamal are in the back arguing about some random event ahhh, just like the good old days.

"Tell him!" Jamal yells as I sit in the car

"Nope, not my place" Ruby replies

"Yall know this secret thing is not for me," Jamal pleas

"No, we both know it can't she'll kill me," Ruby says through gritted teeth.

She? Is this the same she that I think about every day? The same she who stole my heart and took it with her? Couldn't be.

"RUBY!" Jamal screeches, I can see the sweat on his face. This must really be a big secret. Ruby just stares at him, pretending nothing happened.

"Jamal just re-," I start "MONSESCOMINGHOMEINTWOMONTHSBUT SHEDIDNTWANTANYONETOKNOW" he lets out in one breath.

Shit. It's finally happening, its time for me to get my girl back once and for all.

Thoughts?